Belarus: EU Delegation condemns mistreatment of political prisoners and pending death penalty sentences

08-02-2012

The EU Delegation in Belarus has issued a statement saying it is deeply concerned about the “credible reports of torture, mistreatment and inhumane prison conditions of political prisoners” in the country, and condemning two pending death penalty sentences.

In the statement, issued in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Minsk, the Delegation cited the cases of detainees Andrei Sannikaw, Mikalay Autukhovich, Mikalay Statkevich, Dzmitry Bandarenka and Dzmitry Dashkevich, adding they were being denied access to their lawyers and family members.

The EU Delegation called on the authorities to take all necessary legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures to ensure the full respect of its obligations of the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under international law.

The statement added: “The EU Delegation recalls its principled opposition to capital punishment under all circumstances and strongly regrets the sentencing to death of Dzmitry Kanavalaw and Uladzislaw Kavalyow. The EU Delegation calls on the authorities of Belarus not to carry out the executions, and to introduce a moratorium on the capital punishment in view of its eventual abolition.” (ENPI Info Centre)